controlled by automatically applying and releasing
the rear brakes in conjunction with engine torque
reductions. Engine torque reduction is realized via
the fully electronic spark and fuel injection systems.
This process is very sensitive to driving conditions
and very fast acting. The rear wheels ªsearchº for
optimum traction several times a second and
adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlysystem will allow your
vehicle to make better use of available traction on
slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid which
makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on
snow, ice covered and gravel roads.
During Traction
Controlyoperation,
the traction control
active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric motor type of
sound coming from the engine compartment and the
engine will not ªrev-upº when you push further on
the accelerator. This is normal system behavior.
The Traction Controlyon/off switch, located in front
of the gearshift, illuminates when the system is OFF.
The Traction Controlysystem will revert to the ON
position every time the ignition is turned OFF and
ON.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a
very slippery road surface, try switching the Traction
Controlysystem off. This may allow excess wheel
spin to ªdigº the vehicle out and enable a successful
ªrockingº maneuver.
If a system fault is detected the warning indicator
lamp is and your vehicle should be serviced.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help steer
the vehicle.
Driving
96
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify
that the brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be
rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse
gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern.
Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few
minutes. The transmission and tires may be
damaged or the engine may overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park).
Turn off the ignition whenever you leave your
vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the
brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the
brakes may not be working properly. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with a 4±speed automatic transmission
(if equipped)
Understanding gearshift positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards you and downward
to move the automatic gearshift.
Hold the brake pedal down while you move
the gearshift lever from P (Park) to another
position. If you do not hold the brake pedal down,
your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure
someone.
Driving
98
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine compartment
and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the charging system warning light,
ªService Engine Soonº light or the temperature
warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful
and potentially lethal fumes into the
passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle's emission system is
on the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal
located on or near the engine. This decal identifies
engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete
emission warranty information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to
pass an I/M test of the on-board diagnostics system.
If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light is
on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of theInstrumentation
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
Maintenance and care
169
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........ 74
and child
safety seats ............. 76
description .............. 74
disposal .................... 79
driver air bag .......... 77
indicator light ...... 7,78
operation ................. 77
passenger air bag ... 77
Air cleaner filter ..... 182
Air conditioning ........ 18
manual heating
and air conditioning
system ..................... 18
Anti-theft
system .............. 60,61,62
warning light ............. 7
Automatic
transmission .............. 97
driving an automatic
overdrive ................. 98
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 183
fluid,
specification .......... 188
Axle
lubricant
specifications ........ 188
refill capacities ...... 183
traction lok ............ 105
Battery ..................... 150
acid, treating
emergencies .......... 150
charging system
warning light ............. 7
jumping a disabled
battery ................... 123
maintenance-free .. 150
replacement,
specifications ........ 182
servicing ................ 150voltage gauge .......... 15
Brakes ................... 92,94
anti-lock .............. 92,93
anti-lock brake
system (ABS)
warning light ...... 10,93
brake
warning light ........... 10
fluid, checking
and adding ............ 137
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 183
fluid,
specifications . 185,188
lubricant
specifications . 185,188
parking .................... 94
shift interlock .......... 97
Break-in period ........... 2
Capacities for
refilling fluids .......... 183
Child safety
restraints ................... 80
child safety belts .... 80
child safety seats .... 81
Child safety seats ...... 81
attaching with
tether straps ........... 85
built-in child seat ... 81
in front seat ............ 83
in rear seat .............. 83
tether anchorage
hardware ................. 85
Cleaning
your vehicle ............. 176
engine
compartment ......... 178
exterior ........... 178,181
exterior lamps ....... 179
instrument panel .. 180
interior ................... 180
plastic parts .......... 179
Index
207
Fluid capacities ....... 183
Foglamps ................... 53
Fuel .......................... 158
calculating fuel
economy ................ 164
cap ......................... 161
capacity ................. 183
choosing
the right fuel ......... 162
comparisons with
EPA fuel economy
estimates ............... 168
detergent in fuel ... 163
filling your vehicle
with fuel .. 158,161,164
filter,
specifications . 163,182
fuel pump shut-off
switch .................... 112
gauge ....................... 12
improving fuel
economy ................ 164
low fuel
warning light ............. 9
octane rating .. 162,188
quality .................... 162
running
out of fuel ............. 163
safety information
relating to
automotive fuels ... 158
Fuses ................. 113,114
Gas cap
(see Fuel cap) ......... 161
Gas mileage(see
Fuel economy) ........ 164
Gauges .................. 11,12
battery voltage
gauge ....................... 15
engine coolant
temperature gauge . 12engine oil pressure
gauge ....................... 15
fuel gauge ................ 12
odometer ................. 13
speedometer ........... 13
tachometer .............. 14
trip odometer .......... 14
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ........ 106
definition ............... 106
driving with
a heavy load .......... 106
location .................. 106
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ........ 106
calculating ............. 106
definition ............... 106
driving with
a heavy load .......... 106
location .................. 106
Hazard flashers ....... 112
Head restraints ......... 64
Headlamps ................. 16
aiming ............. 175,176
bulb
specifications ........ 175
daytime
running lights .......... 16
flash to pass ............ 45
high beam ............ 7,45
turning on and off .. 16
warning chime ........ 11
Heating ...................... 18
heating and air
conditioning
system ..................... 18
Hood ........................ 132
Ignition ..................... 188
positions of the
ignition .................... 45
removing the key .. 105
Index
209
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) ..... 81
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 169
Instrument panel ........ 6
cleaning ................. 180
lighting up panel
and interior ............. 17
location of
components ............... 6
Jump-starting your
vehicle ...................... 123
Keys
key in ignition
chime ....................... 11
positions of the
ignition .................... 45
removing from the
ignition .................. 105
Lamps
cargo lamps ............. 17
daytime
running light ........... 16
fog lamps ................. 53
headlamps ........ 16,171
headlamps,
flash to pass ............ 45
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 17
interior lamps ......... 50
174,175
replacing
bulbs ............... 170,171
172,173,174
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 44
Lights, warning and
indicator ...................... 6
air bag ........................ 7
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) ................. 10,93
anti-theft ................... 7brake ........................ 10
charging system ........ 7
check coolant .......... 10
high beam ................. 7
low fuel ...................... 9
overdrive off .............. 9
safety belt ................. 7
service engine soon .. 8
traction
control active .......... 10
turn signal
indicator .................... 6
Load limits ............... 106
GAWR .................... 106
GVWR .................... 106
trailer towing ........ 106
Locks
doors ........................ 51
Lubricant
specifications .... 185,188
Lumbar support,
seats ........................... 66
Manual
transmission ............ 102
fluid capacities ...... 183
lubricant
specifications ........ 188
reverse ................... 104
Mirrors
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 51
Motorcraft
parts .................. 163,182
Octane rating .......... 162
Odometer ................... 13
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry
system ........................ 58
Parking brake ............ 94
Parts (see
Motorcraft parts) .... 182
Index
210
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ............. 117
Power door locks ...... 51
Power steering .......... 96
fluid, checking
and adding ............ 144
fluid, refill
capacity ................. 183
fluid,
specifications . 185,188
Radio .......................... 21
Relays ...................... 113
Remote entry
system ................... 56,58
illuminated entry .... 58
locking/unlocking
doors ........................ 57
opening the trunk ... 58
panic alarm ............. 58
replacement/
additional
transmitters ............. 59
replacing the
batteries .................. 59
Roadside
emergencies ......... 60,62
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ...... 11
68,69,70,71,72
Safety Compliance
Certification Label .. 190
Safety defects,
reporting .................. 206
Safety restraints ... 68,69
70,71,72
cleaning the safety
belts .................. 73,181
extension
assembly .................. 72
for adults .. 69,70,71,72
for children ........ 79,80warning light and
chime .......... 7,11,72,73
Safety seats
for children ................ 81
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) .................. 68
Seats .......................... 64
child safety seats .... 81
cleaning ................. 180
Seats-easy access/
easyout feature ......... 67
Servicing your
vehicle ...................... 130
Spark plugs,
specifications .... 182,188
Special notice .............. 3
Specification chart,
lubricants .......... 185,188
Speed control ............ 46
Speedometer ............. 13
Starting your
vehicle .............. 87,88,90
jump starting ........ 123
preparing to start
your vehicle ....... 60,62
Steering wheel
tilting ....................... 46
Tachometer ............... 14
Tilt steering wheel .... 46
Tires .... 119,153,154,155
changing ......... 119,120
checking the
pressure ................. 155
replacing ................ 156
rotating .................. 155
snow tires
and chains ............. 157
tire grades ............. 154
treadwear .............. 154
Towing
trailer towing ........ 108
wrecker .................. 128
Index
211
Traction control ........ 95
active light .............. 10
Traction-lok
rear axle .................. 105
Transmission
automatic
operation ................. 97
fluid, checking
and adding
(automatic) ........... 146
fluid, checking and
adding (manual) ... 149
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 183
lubricant
specifications ........ 188
manual operation .. 102
Trip odometer ........... 14
Trunk
remote release ... 44,58
Turn signal ............. 6,44
Vehicle dimensions . 188
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ......... 190Vehicle loading ........ 106
Ventilating
your vehicle ............... 91
Warning chimes ......... 11
Warning lights
(see Lights) ................. 6
Washer fluid ............ 140
Water,
Driving through ....... 111
Wheels
anti-theft
lug nuts ................. 123
Windows
power ....................... 50
Windshield washer
fluid and wipers
checking
and cleaning .......... 152
operation ................. 44
replacing
wiper blades .......... 153
Wrecker towing ....... 128
Index
212